Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John 337 pages

18 year old Piper talks herself into a job as manager of a scruffy new rock band, Dumb. What is truly amazing is that she is deaf herself. She comes from a rather problematic family: Dad is unemployed and unapproachable, brother Finn is making a name for himself as a troublemaker, Mom is trying to support the family with her legal skills and her baby sister, Gracie was born profoundly deaf, but though the miracle of a cochlear implant paid for with Piper's college fund. A bright, chess whiz, Piper feels isolated and alienated from family and classmates. However, she uses her natural gifts to bring together the diverse talents of the music group: an egomaniacal rich pretty boy, a silent rocker, an angry girl, a talentless piece of eye candy and a nerdy drummer. It isn't easy but Piper earns the respect of her classmates, family and jailbird music producer. Dialogue rings true and each character is a gem.